Vernier-adjusting device for radiodials or the like



Jam. 11, 1927.

c. MVABB OTT VBRNIER ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR RADIODIALS OR THE LIKE Patesited .iain. 1i, W21

entree STTES ears 1 t am CARL M. ABBOTT, F PROVIDENCE, ranonn ISLAND, assrelvoa To MARTIN-GOEELAND GOMPANY, or raovznnncn, :eHonn ISLAND, A rnusrnasmr. consrsrme or EDGAR W. MARTIN, OF BARRINGTON, RHODE ISLAND; LAURENCE 0.;MARTIN, OF I PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLANDi AND GEORGE W. BLEECKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VERNIER-ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR RADIODIALS QR THE LIKE.

Application fi led January 29,1926. Serial No. 84,738.

This invention relates to an improved vernier adjusting-device for the dials of radio receiving sets or for other apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide adevice of the type'specified which is simple in construction, compact in size, and eco nomic'al to manut cture. i

I Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified having mechanism for turning the dial which operof, and which is universally attachable-to p'ractically all types of radio apparatus.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the hi ventionas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 1n the drawings:

Fig. 1 1s a front new of the improved ,vernier dial, showing it applied to use i on the panel of a radio receiving set;.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; -Fig-. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the dial showing its operating-meehanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification in the form of the operatingmechanism of the dial.

My invention in its prferred form embodies a dial 2. a relatively fixed disk or cover-plate 3, having a sight-opening 4 through which the indicia on the dial may be read, and adjusting-means on the front of the cover-plate fromwvhich the dial is turned; these parts being combined in a single unit which is attachable to the panel of a radio set-containingthe instrument to be operated in connection with. the dial. The fixed disk or coverplate 3-is referably constructed of dielectric material such as vulcanized rubber, bakelite or similar composition, and is recessed on its rearward side to adapt it to enclose the dial 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the disk or plate .?is formed with a continuous peripheral flange or rim. 5 which seats against the panel 6 of the radio set when the device is applied thereto. The cover-plate 3 has a central huh 'I bored. to receive a suitable metal sleeve or bushing 8, preferably of; brass or other wear-resisting material. which is rotatable therein;

'.lhe spindle '10 which operates the instrument to which the dial is connectedprojects tlirougl-i an opening 11 in the panel 6, and also, through the bore of the bushing 8 in the hub of the cover-plate 3. A knob or cap 12, provided with an axial bore 13 for receiving .the end of the spindle 10, has a a reduced portion 14' which is externally threaded to screw into the bore of the bushing 8. A set-screw 15 screwed through the side of the knob 12 binds against thespindle 10 to lock the knob rotatively therewith. A cupped or concave-convex springqvashcr 16 encircles the reduced portion. 14 of the knob 12 and is held against a shoulder 17 on the knob Withits peripheral rim received within a recess 18 on the face of the central hub 7 of the cover-plate 3. As before noted, the) bushing 8 is adapted to turn within the bore of the hub 'Land on its inner side is afiange 19 seated in a recess at the rear o the/hub. The spring vasher l6 bearing on the-opposite face of the hub 7 acts to draw the parts together to provide a slight'resistance to the turning movement of the knob 12'and the spindle 10 rotated therefrom.

The dial 2 which is enclosed within the recess of the cover-plate 3 consists preferably of a metal disk or plate, cut away as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 to save metal and reduce its weight. Preferably, the dial 2 is constructed with a p'e-Q,

ripheral rim or annulus 20 supported from a cross-bar 21 whichis formed with an ofiset hub-portion The hub-portion 22 is provided with a hole which fits over a reduced annulus 22) projectiilg from the rear an the bushing 81 This part of the bushing 8 may be swagfi. or rivetedover the fedge ot the v shaft of spindle 30.

hole in the hub-portion 22 of the dial 2 and the latter keyed to the bushing at 24 as indicated in Fig. 3.

Below the center of the cover-plate 3 is a second hub 25 projecting forwardly therefrom and bored to receive the dial-adjusting The outer end of the spindle 3O reduced in diameter at 31 and fitted to the metal-lined bore of a knob 32, the latter being; preferably constructed of dielectric material such as vulcanized rubbeer or bakelite. The knob is secured fast with the spindle or shaft by means of a set-screw 33 reaching through its shank and binding. against the spindle. An. enlargement 34 on the spindle or shaft 30 abuts the rearward face of the hub 25 on the coverplate 3 to hold the shaft from longitudina dis lacement.

shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4,

the spindle or shaft 30 is provided with a bevel-sided driving-disk'or pinion 35 constructed integ'al therewith, or keyed thereon, and adapted to engage with the side of the rim or annulus 20 of the dial 2 to rotate the latter. hreferably, the marginal portion of the annulus QOYwith which the inclined side of the disk or pinion 35 engages is deformed or offset slightly at an angle to adapt it to conform to the bevel of the pinion, whereby to provide for the maximum contact between the inclined face of the pinion and the side of the annulus. An overlying strip or section 36 of sheetx'netal or other resilient material is formed to the shape of the annulus 20 on the dial 2 and disposed to overlap the side thereof throughout substantially one-half of its circumference, see Fig 1. This strip or flange 36 is preferably of slightly thinner metal than that of the dial to adapt it to flex suflioiently to admit the beveled pinion 35 between it and the side of the annulus The outer marginal rim of the strip or flange f dis secured fast against the marginal rinrof the annulus 20 by any suitable means such as the hollow rivets 37 shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In other cases the strip may be brazed, sp6t-welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rim of the annulusQO, provision being 'inadesfor the strip to spring away from the annulus on its inner rim whereby the disk or pinion may he inserted thercbetween.

Referring particularly toFig, 4, it is to be noted that the operating-shaft or spindle 30 has a reduced portion 38 projecting from its rearward end and adaptedl to be received within a hole or bore 39 in the panel 6. This engagement of the spindle with the bore in the. panel holds-the cover-plate 3 from turning on the front of the panel, so that when the disk 35'is turned from the knob 552 it will transmit a turning move ment to the dial 2.

It will he understood that the resilientpressure of thestrip 36 on the side of the.

disk provides an efficient. friction contact or traction between the disk and the annulus 20 on the dial 2 which. when the disk is rotated, causes rotation of the dial without chance of slippage or lost motion. In fact, the turnlngof the dial from the action, without the slightest backlash, and

the improved :uljusting-mcans thus prothe dial are printed or otherwise marked on a paper or celluloid disk overlying and fastened to the face of the metal disk 2 so that as the latter is turned they show through the sight-opening 4.

The device is practically proof against deterioration over long periods of use, the wear on the pinion and the engaging surfaces of the. dial actually improving the contact between these parts rather than'reducing the frictional traction. It Will also be observed that the improved operating-- means for adjusting the dial is extremely simple in construction and arrangement and it is therefore econon'iical to manufacture. As another feature of the improvement, the mechanism contains no delicate parts liable to weanout and no gears which are always subject to lost motion and backlash in their operation. i

In Fig. 5 another example of the friction contact means between the driving inion and dial is shown. In this modification of the mechanism the dial disk 40 and its overlapping elen' ent 4:1 are of the same form and construction, both being punched or stamped'out to the same shape and contour and of the same thickn ssof sprin metal. The peripheral rims of the two disks are either welded or riveted together as shown at 42, and with the friction disk or pinion 35 inserted therebetween their sides spring apart at an angle conforming to the beveled sides of the disk With this form of device the niethoihopfoperation is the same as above ex 'ilainedfthe frictional engagement between the beveled sides of the disk 35 and operating to turn the dial with a smooth,

cren motion without play or backlash.

While I have herein illustrated and described the invention as embodied in a preferred form of mechanism, it is obvious that various modifications other than that shown may be made in the structure and arrangement'of the parts of the device Without departing: from thespirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, without limiting myselfin this respect, 1 claim:

1. A vernier adjusting-device for dials or disk i. accomplished with a smooth, velvety .rims of the annuli and engaging therewith to rotate the dial.

2. In a vernier adjusting-device for dials or the like, the combination of an annulus on the dial, a resilient element eont'orming to the lateral face of the annulus and fixedly secured thereto circumferentially thereof, and a friction diskengaging between the rims ot' the 1'esilient,.e.lenient and the'annulus to rotate thelatter to turn the dial. I

3. In a VOIIIIGI' ad ustmg-devke for dads or the like. .the combination of a rotatable disk, a flexible annulus overlyii'ig the lateral face of the disk and secured thereto 'at its rim, and a bevel-sided pinion inserted between the disk and the annulus to frieliun overlying and ally engage the opposite f aees thereof to ro- I .5, ft. In a Vernier adjusting-device, the coni bmat-ion ofa spindle, a disk rotatively at-v spindle, a flexible annulus,

tate the disk from its turning movement.

taehed to said overlying the side of the disk and secured thereto at its run, and a bevel-s ded pinion engaging between the disk and the annulus to adapt it to rotate the tional contaet therewith. t

In a vernier adjusting-device for dials or the like, the combination of a rotatable disk having a flexible annulus, a second disk arranged iamxially of thefirst disk and provided with a flexible annulus overlying that of the first disk with their rims joined together, tween the opposite faces of theannuli, and

latter through friv a bevel-sided pinion engaging be-' means fol-turning the pinion to rotate the.

disks by frielional driving contaet: therewith.

In testimony whereof I. afilx my signature. 

